Children at the wedding

Original post by troutster

Sep 21, 2004 10:07 PM

I have beening thinking about this bascially since I got engaged... I have many younger cousins and just always figured they would attend my wedding, but now I'm rethinking it. There are 22 children between the ages of 3 months and 12 yrs in my family and I would love them to all come, but once u add in the 4 younger cousins my fh has it is 26 kids!

Has anyone been to a wedding with so many kids? Or even a wedding with a lot of kids??
I would really love them all to come, but I just don't know how it would be with sooooo many kids.

Any advice would be great. I really need help on this one!

alexlynn7 Posted: Sep 22, 2004 08:51 AM

Re: Children at the wedding

Posted by SoInLovexox

We came across that situation as well. We have 16 kids which is way too many but ours range between 4 and 16.

We decided only our immediate family would bring their kids. Only our neices and nephews. That way you don't pick & choose certain people who can and cannot bring.
Most people understand. I was feeling bad that some couples in my bridal party have a child but they told me they want to have fun & they prefer to leave their child at home.

same here. i have 7 nieces and nephews, who i am having in my BP, and that's it - no other kids.

fallinlove04 Posted: Sep 22, 2004 09:08 AM

Re: Children at the wedding

we decided to do nieces and nephews. fi has 14 and i have none. good thing. this however caused problems with some of my cousins who wanted to bring their children.

princess99 Posted: Sep 22, 2004 09:10 AM

Re: Children at the wedding

We went to a wedding this past year with kids and it was a DISASTER!!!!!!!! During the ceromony the kids were mimicking the bride and groom and were loud and the parents did nothing until almost the end to put a stop to it, and now it is on there wedding video. You might want to rethink this idea. We did not have any kids but my flower girl at the wedding and she was adorable, but I made sure to have food for her, but my friend decieded during the cocktail hour that the food was not good enough for her daughter and had her DH go out and get her nuggets at Burger king! I was not happy becuase I had chicken nuggets for her and also paid for her to eat too. I am glad I did not see this at the cocktail hour, I am still a little annoyed, with all the food there was there was not one thing her kid would eat?! .... Sorry about the little vent here.............

PrincessConsuela Posted: Sep 22, 2004 09:13 AM

Re: Children at the wedding

Posted by MegLehner

I made a cut off of 12. No kids under the age of 12 allowed! Some people asked about bringing their kids, FSIL has a 1 1/2 year old. Some people were mad - but you cant make everyone happy. I knew if I had kids at the wedding I would be unhappy, so you have to do what is right for you.

I agree about having the cut off age. NO Babies at my wedding Please.........

Charly Posted: Sep 22, 2004 09:14 AM

Re: Children at the wedding

I decided that the only children are my nieces - both flowergirls ages 3 and 7, and 3 teens. Other than that - we felt very strongly about an adult reception.

CubanBride Posted: Sep 22, 2004 09:26 AM

Re: Children at the wedding

We are having kids at our wedding. We don't care about the age. It's a family affair and kids are part of the family. I know a lot of people don't want kids at the wedding and I understand the reasons.

troutster Posted: Sep 22, 2004 02:57 PM

Re: Children at the wedding

Thanks for the help girls. :) You have all given me a lot to think about. Including many great ideas like babysitters and setting an age limit.

I'm just so torn. I wish I could have them there, but not have to worry about them or even just have some but not all... but like everyone has said (and i totally agree with) you can't pick and choose.

I think I'll make that pro and con list and talk to fh again about it. I'm thinking 8:30-1:30 is really too late for most of them anyways.

Has anyone had a seperate party before or after the wedding where you had just realitives and invited the kids? ?
I would like to do that.... but I don't know if that is even possible.

troutster Posted: Sep 22, 2004 02:58 PM

Re: Children at the wedding

CubanBride,
How many kids are you having? Do you have anything special set up for them?

CubanBride Posted: Sep 22, 2004 03:03 PM

Re: Children at the wedding

If you mean by kads, anyone under the age of 18, then about 10, maybe a few little more. And we are not having any more than 90 guests, total.

nsgraham Posted: Sep 22, 2004 03:20 PM

Re: Children at the wedding

We had about 13 kids (one or two uninvited really, but whatever). I lOVED them. I made little bags for them with coloring books and toys and disposable cameras, and they had so much fun and made the whole thing just great! If it's your family's kids and you know the way they act, and if you think they can behave, have them! Go to www.orientaltradingcompany.com and get some things to occupy them. The kids are the BEST on the wedding video - the best shot is of all of them following the cake as it's wheeled out for cutting. One followed it all the way to the kitchen almost! Here's one of my favorite pics:

ETA: Although, honestly, a good number of their parents might want to keep them at home anyway, since it's so late. Are these kids close family - like first tier? If so, then ask the parents if they think their children can handle the late hours.

Butterflybride Posted: Sep 22, 2004 03:29 PM

Re: Children at the wedding

Posted by CubanBride

We are having kids at our wedding. We don't care about the age. It's a family affair and kids are part of the family. I know a lot of people don't want kids at the wedding and I understand the reasons.

same here

Marisa&Brian Posted: Sep 22, 2004 03:51 PM

Re: Children at the wedding

I don't think kids that young belong @ a formal evening reception - JMO.........and 26 is ALOT !!!
Most of my cousins asked me NOT to invite their kids b/c they looked forward to a night out w/ their husband/wife to get dressed up, go dancing/drinking etc.

troutster Posted: Sep 25, 2004 12:16 AM

Re: Children at the wedding

nsgraham That is such a cute picture! They are all my my first cousins kids, but I have babysat for all of them on many occasions and am close with about half of them (the others lives in GA and I dont' see them very often)

I just can't get over that pic! It is too cute!! :)

[email protected] Posted: Sep 25, 2004 06:28 AM

Re: Children at the wedding

The youngest children at my reception were my FG and Rb, but bothe left after being announced. I have a bunch or children 4 and up who stayed teh balance ofr the night and were very well behaved.

tinkerwdw Posted: Sep 25, 2004 08:41 AM

Re: Children at the wedding

I am not allowing children at the wedding, simply because of costs. I am only allowing the children that are in the wedding party and immediate family- which would be 5 girls and a boy from 4-9. I know that some people will be pissed, but like it was said- you can't make everyone happy!
We also have a size limit at my hall- it only comfortably fits under 140, so that is part of the decision as well. I hope all will understand :)

Lori0517 Posted: Sep 25, 2004 09:15 AM

Re: Children at the wedding

no children at my wedding, simply because its an evening event and I just think its going to be a problem. I do not have nieces or nephews so that is easy for me to say. However if I did I am sure I would be having them their.

Rainmama Posted: Sep 25, 2004 09:24 AM

Re: Children at the wedding

We had 12 children at ours ranging from 3 weeks to 9 years old. Everyone had a wonderful time. The kids all entertained one another and the parents were actually able to enjoy themselves. Being a parent, I wouldn't want it any other way. It actually made it easier on us since our daughter had some playmates.
We brought a toddler size table with crayons and coloring books. But I think the kids danced more than anything.

salsbride06 Posted: Sep 25, 2004 10:49 AM

Re: Children at the wedding

i have alot of older cousins and kids that are in my family and in my fh's family. we decided that only 18 and older are aloud to come. the one excoetion that i am making is to my one cousin that is 3 months away from being 18. there are just to many kids and it is to expensive for them to come and not eat for the ffod we paid for. i know alot of people tha do it this way.

FoxHollowbride0617 Posted: Sep 25, 2004 03:33 PM

Re: Children at the wedding

We are going to be having a few children. My two nephews will be 9 months and they will be there. I can't imagine not inviting them because they are family. Two of FH's young cousins are in our wedding so of course they will be there. To be honest with you I don't mind children at the wedding.

oakslady Posted: Sep 25, 2004 03:34 PM

Re: Children at the wedding

my family is huge and every wedding i have been to with the exception of one was full of kids - i am talking 30 - 40
it wasnt even a thought for me to think they wouldnt all be there just the way we do it in our family